Felitti et al. published this seminal work in the Journal of Preventive Medicine. This large-scale study linked Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to an increased risk of future adult health risks. The authors considered seven categories of (ACEs): psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, violence against mother; or living with household members who were substance abusers, mentally ill or suicidal, or ever imprisoned. […]

This article published in the journal Pediatrics synthesizes research on neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, developmental psychology and epidemiology to explain the effects of toxic stress on children. Early childhood stress contributes to changes in neurobiological and immune system development. The findings from these multiple disciplines suggest that adult disease can be influenced by a child’s early development.

By Fostering Futures|2015-04-20T16:01:30+00:00May 28th, 2014|ACEs Toxic Stress, & Trauma|Comments Off on Childhood Trauma, the Neurobiology of Adaptation and “Use-Dependent” Development of the Brain: How “States” Become “Traits”

Perry et al. reviews the organization, function and development of the human brain in the context of brain-mediated responses to threat. These principles allow for an understanding of how a traumatized child is affected now and in the future.

An article from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network synthesizes a wide array of research on the topic of complex trauma. Complex traumatic exposure refers to children’s experiences of multiple traumatic events that occur within the caregiving system – the social environment that is supposed to be the source of safety and stability in a child’s life.

In recent years, we have learned a great deal about the importance of childhood experiences to lifelong well-being. Early experiences have a broader and more profound impact than most of us would ever guess. Everyday interactions and experiences in infancy and childhood greatly influence the architecture of our developing brains and our subsequent emotional, cognitive, social and neurobiological functioning.

A Journal Article from the European Archive of Clinical Psychiatry melds findings in the literature from both neurobiology and epidemiology. The authors combine these two disciplines to put forth a unique theory of how the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can affect the developing human brain.

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Fostering Futures’ vision is that all Wisconsin children and families are thriving in nurturing communities; individuals, communities and government integrate trauma-informed, strength-based principles into their relationships, culture, policies and practices, promoting safe, stable and nurturing relationships.